Barbara Becnel

Barbara Becnel (30 May 1950-) was an American author and journalist.

Biography
Barbara Becnel was born in California in 1950, and she interviewed imprisoned Crips founder Stanley Williams during the 1990s. During this time, she became a close friend of his, and she advocated for him, even editing his series of children's books and co-producing a television film about him. She was invited to attend his execution, and she accused Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of being a "cold-blooded murderer" who killed an "innocent man". In 2006, she became the first black female to run for Governor of California, running in the Democratic Party primary; she lost with just 2.7% of the vote. Becnel, who was also outspoken on issues such as the environment and immigration, joined the US Green Party in 2007.